“Women: from target group to stakeholders in peace and security”

The EU & UNSCR 1325 point 8, Brussels, 6-7 November 2007.
"Women: from target group to stakeholders in peace and security".

Involvement of women in peacebuilding is essential for sustainable peace. This is acknowledged by both governments and civil society organisations. In 2000 the United Nations expressed a strong commitment to recognise and improve the position of women in conflict and peace processes with the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325).

Several UN Member States have integrated the resolution in their policy development and the EU has made commitments to integrate UNSCR 1325 in the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

The European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). ICCO & Kerk in Actie in cooperation with its APRODEV sister agencies EED, HEKS, Norwegian Church Aid and Church of Sweden, show a broad and global support of civil society. At regional partner consultations in Africa and Asia, partner organisations expressed their concern for women, peace and security and asked to be assisted in their plea for the implementation of UNSCR 1325. Their concern is that local knowledge and experience, while essential to successful conflict resolution and peace building practices, is neglected in international actors’ policymaking process.

The implementation of UNSCR 1325 faces many challenges and obstacles. The widespread violence against women in East Congo and the lack of female participation in the peace process of Aceh are just some of the numerous examples. It is of the utmost importance that international actors support citizen and women’s organisations in their work on civilian conflict transformation and peacebuilding efforts. Civil society needs to be included as more than an implementing partner and service provider. The implementation of UNSCR 1325 will simply not succeed without local gender knowledge included in the policymaking process.
Read more at:
www.aprodev.net

Seminar in Brussels 6-7 November 2007:

“Women: from target group to stakeholders in peace and security”
The EU & UNSCR 1325 point 8

November 6, 2007:
Realities and challenges on the ground - collecting the evidence

November 7, 2007:
EU Policy Responses – frameworks for implementation

Organiser:
ICCO - Partner to enterprising people

Contact and information:
ICCO
P.O. Box 8190
3503 RD Utrecht
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)30 692 78 11
Fax: +31 (0)30 692 56 14
E-mail: info@icco.nl
http://www.icco.nl/delivery/icco/es/index.phtml

Other useful links on the topic: "Women and Peacebuilding"
http://www.eplo.org/documents/EU_Joint_concept_DDR.pdf